Happy Birthday: Josephine Baker

BLACK MUSIC MONTH 2012

JOSEPHINE BAKER
(June 3, 1906 – April 12, 1975)

Josephine Baker, a multi-talented lady of class and elegance, nicknamed the "Bronze Venus", the "Black Pearl", and the "Créole Goddess", was the fist black woman to star in a motion picture, to integrate an American concert hall and to become an international entertainer. A social and political activist who put forth efforts to aide in the civil rights movement, as well as becoming a spy for France during World War II. For her services to gain intelligence from opposing forces, Baker was awarded the Croix de Guerre, the Rosette de la Résistance, and was made a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur by General Charles de Gaulle.

Busi Mhlongo: Uganga Nge Ngane

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2012

Busi Mhlongo
(October 28, 1947 – June 15, 2010)

Late South African virtuoso singer, dancer and composer, Busi Mhlongo defies categorization with her blend of traditional Zulu folk music, mbaqanga, maskanda and marabi with contemporary western styles such as Jazz, Reggae, Funk, Rock, Soul and more. Mhlongo was also an activist, aiding in the combat against aparthied, which was also reflected in the messages of her music. She has also worked with other notable legends, such as Hugh Masekela, Dr. Philip Tabane, Mabe Thobejane and Robert "Doc" Mthalane, just to name a few. Her album UrbanZulu, was the very first time that Maskanda has been expressed by a Zulu woman commercially to an international audience.

Here's the music video for my favorite song by her from her classic UrbanZulu album, titled "Uganga Nge Ngane", which means "you're playing around with this child". No matter how bad of a mood i'm in, this tune always lifts my spirits.